PEDETENTOUS

Etymology

Adjective

pedetentous (not comparable)

(obsolete) Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously.

Source: Wiktionary

Ped`e*ten"tous, a. Etym: [L. pes, pedis, foot + tendere to stretch out: cf. L. tentim by degrees.]

Definition: Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously. [R.] That pedetentous pace and pedetentous mind in which it behooves the wise and virtuous improver to walk. Sydney Smith.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition